"Adam will be released tomorrow," Black informed me, his leather shoes clicking against the  wooden floor as we approached the grand dining hall.

"Ensure no one trails him back to the compound," I said.

Black gave a quick, silent nod. I stepped into the dining hall and took my seat at the head of the table. Glancing across the surface, I paused. The table was lined with an absurd spread of dishes—roasted meats, fresh seafood, pasta, and rich sauces.

I raised an eyebrow at Black. "What is all this?"

For a fraction of a second, I wondered if I had lost track of time and forgotten my own birthday again....